Singaround Keswick first week in June

Subject: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 May 08 - 10:52 AM

A few people have posted about clubs, singarounds or sessions in Keswick, Cumbria. Did anyone have any success?

We are up in Keswick first week in June. Is anybody interested in a singaround?

A pub crawl in search of a room could be good fun if nothing else.

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 14 May 08 - 11:49 AM

Careful what you ask for, Les - we pass perilously close to Keswick on the 7th... Hold on, does this mean you won't be at Chorlton on the 4th???

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 May 08 - 01:07 PM

Arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... So easily caught out!

I probably wont be in Chorlton on the 4th but I know lots of people who probably will. So I guess the Beech will sail along, god, what a sentence this is.

We are going to be in Keswick most of that week including Friday for the Beer Festival. If you were around Saturday could we arrange something?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: MoorleyMan
Date: 14 May 08 - 05:31 PM

Yes I remember posting an enquiry about Keswick back in February, but no takers, and in the end the whole week proved entirely fruitless. No music of any description anywhere, one or two pubs/hotel bar areas were closed for refurb admittedly, but no sign nor sound of music of any ilk let alone folk sessions - and only blank looks from pub staff when I asked. Pubs themselves were either packed out with diners etc or virtually empty, even a quiz night in one was blaring to three men and a dog. I normally like Keswick as a place, but this time even I found it depressing. Shame, as there are some venues that look as though they would be folk-friendly... Hope you have better luck, Les - I almost feel inclined to come up there and give you moral support!!!

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 14 May 08 - 05:38 PM

Well, if we could get a 8 or 10 willing to sing a song or play a tune I would be willing to stalk the pubs of Keswick, tough or what, looking for a venue.

Perhaps we could keep this thread alive a while. Maybe people could suggest nights or pubs?

Sounds good to me.

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 14 May 08 - 05:47 PM

Failing that we could decamp to the Castlerigg stone circle... Not much of a moon that night.

Here's a wee film I made last year:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rifpMFWgcjQ

407 views?

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: GUEST,Joe
Date: 14 May 08 - 06:57 PM

I'll be in Keswick from the 27th to the 30th of this month with me fiddle, any sessions happening?

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: stallion
Date: 14 May 08 - 08:16 PM

we will be at the anglers in haverthwaite (a tad south I fear) on the 5th of June for their particularly good session, worth the trip

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 15 May 08 - 12:18 PM

Would be a bit of a trip from Keswick but trust you have a good session.

Is that near the remains of Wilkinson's blast furnace?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Mrs Scarecrow
Date: 15 May 08 - 04:44 PM

Mr Scarecrow and I are in Cumbria the 1st week in June a guest 'Richard' has kindly told us of a session on Sunday 1st at Hesket Newmarket at the Old Crown. And one in Penrith on Monday 2nd, we are up there till the friday and Keswick doesn't appear to be too far away if you manage to sort something out, we would love to join you. Some one has mentioned the Skiddaw Hotel in Keswick as having something on a Wednesday but I haven't checked that out yet

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Graveyard
Date: 15 May 08 - 06:02 PM

The Skiddaw hotel has a folk night on a Wednesday, during the season. You generally have to tell the one in charge, Martin Jordan, if you perform. Every other Sunday afternoon, but which one I do not know, at the Twa Dogs. A phone call to the pub would tell you. I think the Grey Horse in Penrith has a folk night one Monday a month. There is also a session in the Lamplight in Windermere again a phone call would enlighten you. Enjoy

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 May 08 - 03:10 AM

I will phone the Twa Dogs and the Skiddaw Hotel later today,

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 16 May 08 - 08:35 AM

The Twa Dogs (01768772599) told me today that they have a singaround / session on alternate Sunday afternoons starting at 3pm and give May 18, June 1 and June 15 as the next dates.

The receptionist at the Skiddaw Hotel (01768772071) told me that someone organises a folk night on Tuesday evenings and has 3, 10, 17 and 24 June as on the calendar. She did not know who runs it but I guess it is Martin Jordan, I left my name and number so we will see what happens.

None of this necessarily stops another informal singaround on another night does it?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 17 May 08 - 06:35 AM

As I sat, sitting, starring at the rain
It reminded me of the many joyous days we have spent
In the sunshine in Cumbria in general
And Keswick and the Derwentwater Fells in particular

Of the many excellent pubs
The delightful meals
The many and varied pints of excellent beer
And the absence of old songs and tunes

Will the next visit surprise us
Hornpies, jigs and reels
A throaty ballad
A chorus with hamony?

Tom Pearce, Tom Pearce lend me thy grey mare.........

No!

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 May 08 - 09:40 AM

Anybody else interested?

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Sue Allan
Date: 19 May 08 - 11:15 AM

Many more sessions around the central Lake District Les than actually in it - probably because no one local can actually afford to live there! The Old Crown at Hesket Newmarket is definitely Sunday 1 June (just back o'Skiddaw ... a mile from Caldbeck) and if you head over to Penrith then The Grey Bull (on A6 at northern end of the town) on Monday 2 June.

If you fancy getting over Langdale way, then I'd suggest you phone the landlord at the Old Dungeon Ghyll (who's a fiddler and involved with a number of sessions in that part of the world (inc. Hawkshead and Coniston I think).

Not sure about west/south Cumbria, but you could try looking at www.mostlyacousticcumbria.co.uk - jam nights and gigs pages - to see if anything on weekly or monthly.

I keep meaning to get to the Hesket Newmarket sessions but never quite make it - I'm told they're excellent, but the pub's very small so you need to get there early.

Sue

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 19 May 08 - 11:55 AM

Thanks Sue that's lots of good information.

I recognise what you say about the cost of living in th District. We have cycled around Skiddaw from Keswick - a bit of a challenge but well worth the effort.

Is the pub the one that makes it's own beer? We havesampleda few of them and enjoyed the vintage motorcycle rally that gathers, I think, on Whit Monday.

We have enjoyed the Old Dungeon Ghyll, usually at the end of a hike and have seen posts for sessions there.

We stay with our caravan on the site by the Lake and out of complete selfishness fancy a session in Keswick we can walk to. The two events mentioned above look good and well worth support. Do you know any more about the one at the Skiddaw Hotel?

Cheers

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Sue Allan
Date: 19 May 08 - 12:01 PM

Hi Les,

Yes, the Old Crown is indeed one which has its own brewery. Sorry, don't know about the Skiddaw Hotel - I did have a look at BT directory for Martin Jordan, but can't find him there. He and his wife used to run the Highfield Hotel in Keswick which he used to run
Their numbe - if you want to try them to see if they have his number - is 017687 72508

Good luck!

Sue

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Sooz
Date: 19 May 08 - 03:18 PM

The Folk Nights at the Skiddaw Hotel are in a formal concert style with a few local performers entertaining the tourists. If you turn up and ask to perform they will let you do a couple of songs but they are not really keen on sharing their time.

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 May 08 - 04:57 AM

Thanks to Sue and Sooz, I will give the number a ring later.

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Jack Blandiver
Date: 20 May 08 - 07:39 AM

As Rachel reminds me, we'll be in Norfolk that week... hmmm... I feel another thread coming on!

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Graveyard
Date: 20 May 08 - 02:06 PM

The times I have been to the Skiddaw Hotel, I have been well received and always given a song or two. Obviously it depends upon how busy it is and what time you arrive, and be sure to tell Martin or who ever is on the door that you would like to perform, if there is time.

Enjoy

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 20 May 08 - 05:34 PM

Thanks that's reassuring!

Les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Betsy
Date: 20 May 08 - 06:35 PM

Hiya Les , I've been watching how the thread was developing as I have to in my work travel once a week from the North East England to Workington and I stop over on the night at Workington (but I could make it Keswick) and have a session.
Unfortunately the honest statements from Graveyard"....perform, if there is time " and Sooz's ".....but they are not really keen on sharing their time " is exactly the type of scenario which puts me off .
No doubt some locals musicians faces don't fit either, Sad innit ?
Best of Luck in finding a suitable place to play your music.

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 21 May 08 - 01:54 AM

Thanks Betsy,

So far I have no sense of local musicians, singers or just people who are content to go to a session of songs and tunes and join in choruses.

We have had a few mentions of the session at the Twa Dogs, that has been going for sometime, and maybe that meets all the needs of singers and musicians in the area.

It doesn't make a lot of sense for people like me from miles away who visit an area a few times a year to try and instigate something. I guess I just feel that when I wonder around Keswick and hear live rock and pop music I feel sure the collection of people who come to Keswick to walk are a likely "folk" crowd.

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Graveyard
Date: 21 May 08 - 06:17 AM

Howay Betsy man, Everyone knows, especially if you run a folk club, that there is not allways time to get everyone on, local, tourist or not. Not wishing to be patronising, I think that Martin Jordan and Terry Haworth do a canny job offering a venue where people of like minds can go and play, sing or just listen. Bearing in mind that the venue caters for the listening audience rather than those participating, it is a good night. As far as a session/singaround goes it needs a regular core of people on which to build. This to some point happens at the Twa Dogs. A number of years ago I wandered around every pub in Keswick looking for a place to take about fifty, well behaved, thirsty, hungry adults for a full weekend of singing and not one pub would have me, except the Twa Dogs. I agree that looking at the people walking around Keswick and the area they fall into the general pot of what a folky looks like and enjoys, so why does nothing happen?

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: GUEST,Betsy at work
Date: 21 May 08 - 06:58 AM

Hiya Graveyard - I hope I didn't criticise the two lads who run things - my feelings were aroused by some of the messages containing elements of cliques and other things ( however natural) which seem on occasions to ruin folk clubs and gatherings.
The other thing which colours my judgement is, it was an absolute MUST to be singing at Keswick every weekend 40 Years ago - we all simply gathered in a pub.
I have fond memories (albeit faulty) - I can't remember if it was called the Packhorse or the Woolpack !!!! Mick Sheehan from Darlington was also a highly rated performer there.
These were the days when Black Velvet Band etc. were almost "new" songs, and Jolly Plough Boy (Off to Dublin in the green etc.) didn't upset anyone - as the troubles hadn't yet started.
One weekend we arrived - no climbing boots allowed in the pub - so the vast amount of the normal audience was disqualified. They had put down new carpets on the stone and wooden floors and ponsified the place - concentrating on selling food. Happy memories, but such is progress Eh?

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Graveyard
Date: 21 May 08 - 07:18 AM

The main reason for NOT letting us in that particular weekend,in March, I think the Woolpack/horse was the main culprit, was "We sell basket meals". Would we not have partaken or such vittals?

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: Les in Chorlton
Date: 25 May 08 - 02:48 AM

So, looks like Sunday afternoon at the Twa Dogs or Tuesday night at the Skiddaw Hotel?

Cheers

les

Subject: RE: Singaround Keswick first week in June
From: GUEST,Dave (Folk'n' Fun)
Date: 25 May 08 - 06:49 AM

Say hello to Mike and Twill at the Twa Dogs for me.